SLS (C197) Mercedes-Benz Planning a mini-SLS

[adeel2010]

looks like an R8. definitely not gonna look like this

 

[Wolfgang]

Latest round of magazine discussions on this model has it with a 400ps twin-turbo v6 and a 75hp electric motor, for a total of 475 horses.

400 PS? That might be the rumored comprex charger?

Dr Leopold Mikulic, Daimler

The technology, which is already said to be developing in excess of 300kW from the V6 in testing (but will settle at around 295kW in production trim), will make AMG the first car company in the modern era to develop the old, but rarely-used forced-induction system, which effectively combines characteristics of both turbo and supercharging systems.

"There are some rumours around it (comprex) even here in Switzerland," Dr Leopold Mikulic, Mercedes-Benz's Vice-President of Powertrain Development told the Carsales Network.

"Comprex has no turbo lag, though, because it operates on a very different principle. This technology comes back now with a new approach, which could be a viable competition to turbocharging. It has to prove itself in high volume first. We will see about it for our V6."

Comprex-charged baby 'AMG' to take on RS3 and M1 ? Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia

 

[Giannis]

One question: Is there enough room in the MB line-up price and image-wise to fit a mini SLS between the full scale SLS and SL?

 

[Nicks]

One question: Is there enough room in the MB line-up price and image-wise to fit a mini SLS between the full scale SLS and SL?

no one from MB confirmed mini-sls so far....

 

[Centurion]

One question: Is there enough room in the MB line-up price and image-wise to fit a mini SLS between the full scale SLS and SL?

All I can say is cannibalization.

 

[Giannis]

no one from MB confirmed mini-sls so far....

I don't recall saying that it was officially announced. There are only a few articles talking about the possibility of such a car. I'm only asking those who know a bit more about MB than I do, if there is room for such a car.

 

[coligny]

I don't recall saying that it was officially announced. There are only a few articles talking about the possibility of such a car. I'm only asking those who know a bit more about MB than I do, if there is room for such a car.

Meanwhile it sort of officialise the possibility of an Audi R4...

 

[SKY]

We've reported recently that Mercedes-AMG was working on a smaller, cheaper SLS spin-off called the SLV, which would share the Gullwing's front-engine layout. That plan is now on the back burner. Mercedes is still interested in a derivative of its new halo model, but that prospect is currently being referred to internally as SLM. The M stands for mid-engine, as captured in the proportions of our spy illustration.The change in course is primarily due to concerns about overlap within the Mercedes lineup. "Our friends in corporate rightly pointed out that a front-engine sports car would have been too close to the SL, which is an important cash cow for the brand," explains our source at AMG. The performance division considered going in the opposite direction and building a "super SLS"-something wilder than the defunct SLR McLaren-but soon realized that such a concept wouldn't fit the times. AMG has found that even its elite customer base expects more environmental and social responsibility going forward, so the SLM will emphasize lightness and efficiency. But why go with a mid-engine configuration, which will basically require AMG to start from scratch rather than adapting Gullwing components?

"A mid-engine car is the best way to avoid cannibalizing sales-and to challenge rivals like the Audi R8 and the upcoming production version of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics coupe," our source answers.

In the early stages of the SLM's gestation-kicked off under the leadership of Volker Mornhinweg before he left AMG to run the Mercedes van division-engineers experimented with a twin-turbo four-cylinder, but that option was dropped because it would have been hard to find a profitable price point. Another alternative was simply to replace the SLS with a mid-engine coupe powered by the latest small-displacement V-8. Again, the idea was nixed because it didn't provide enough incremental business. The most likely scenario now is a 350-hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 paired with two electric motors positioned in front of the driver. To maximize synergies, the front axle, elements of the battery pack, and the electronics platform will be adopted from the electric-drive SLS, which is due in 2012. The rear suspension, complete with the seven-speed transaxle, is another significant carryover item. Expect AMG to adapt the aluminum spaceframe it developed for the SLS, although the firewall will obviously move rearward.

One aspect of the SLS that definitely won't trickle down is its distinctive appearance. "We are not going to offer a downsized Gullwing. Such a car would dilute the attraction of the SLS, and it would demonstrate a lack of imagination," says a team member on the project. AMG has also ruled out a hardtop convertible. "It's not sufficiently hard-core and sporty."

That leaves us with the following alternatives: a coupe, a roadster, and a hatchback. According to the AMG grapevine, a coupe with so-called "heron-wing" doors (they swing out and then pivot up at a 45-degree angle) is the likely starting point. The second SLM model will probably be a speedster with a cut-down windshield and a basic, manually operated canvas top. Dimensionally, the SLM is smaller than a Ferrari 458 Italia. The time frame, volume, and financial calculations for the most radical modern Benz are still iffy. The year 2015 looks like a realistic target, and if the company can sell at least 7500 units annually, the asking price should come down to approximately $165,000. That's more than most SLs but about twenty grand less than a base Gullwin.

I think we should change the title of the thread to SLM, as it seems to be the provisional name of the car.

 

[Nicks]

I think we should change the title of the thread to SLM, as it seems to be the provisional name of the car.

this all sounds just like a bunch of rumors

 

[SKY]

this all sounds just like a bunch of rumors

You mena the name or the info I´ve posted? If you mean the info then I´m not with you, as this guy has talked about cars like the 6er Gran Coupe years before the announcement, or even before SCOTT mentioned it.

If you mean the name, well, it´s just to clarify things, as we called the SLS SLC until we knew the final name.

 

[Wolfgang]

New And Used Cars For Sale - Auto Reviews, Concept Cars, & Auto Shows - Automobile Magazine

 

[NarutoRamen]

Well hello there, chop of R8 and MP4-12C

 

[Wolfgang]

Chop by Herbert Müdsam:


Mercedes SLM ? med mittmotor - Vi Bilägare

 

[SKY]

Well hello there, chop of R8 and MP4-12C

I wouldn´t spend my time looking at any PS of this car, as I think not even the final design has been chosen yet.

 

[Wolfgang]

Here's one config mentioned, via Autobild.

AUTOBILD.DE - Testberichte - Automarkt - Autokauf


1) New V6 engine, possibly with twin comprex charger, driving rear axle
2) electric motors from SLS E-CELL, driving front axle
3) Lithium-ion battery supplied by Daimler affiliate Deutsche Accumotive GmbH

 

[NarutoRamen]

I wouldn´t spend my time looking at any PS of this car, as I think not even the final design has been chosen yet.

I'm not. I was just pointing out the dumbass chop job.

 

[K-A]

I don't see the point of this.

Hopefully M-B invests their money in better areas.

 

[Wolfgang]

The latest blurb:

SLV out, lighter, more efficient SLM in

by Keiichi | BenzInsider.com





You already heard of the rumors that Mercedes-Benz is planning on building a smaller version of the SLS. That supposed spin-off would have been called the SLV, sharing the front-engine layout of the Gullwing. But the company decided to forgo that project for something a lot more, shall we say, promising. Mercedes-Benz is still going to work on an SLS derivative, but this time round they’re going to call it the SLM. The M stands for mid-engine. Oh, so NOW you’re listening.

Who would have thought Mercedes-Benz would decide to veer away from the SLS platform and boldly go where so many others have (not?) gone before. Well, at least for this company, a mid-engine super car sounds a little farfetched. Well, only time will be able to tell if it’s going to be a reality. Right now, all we have is a source from AMG saying that creating another front-engine super car would endanger the cash flow being pulled in by the SLS.

So what’s the deal behind the SLM? Lightness and efficiency, apparently. Something to jive with the current trends in the industry. Although the mid-engine layout still puzzles a lot of people, us admittedly. Our source says that it’s the best way not to hurt SLS sales and to be able to rival the Audi R8 and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Coupe. Sounds promising, don’t you think?

 

[javi]

really helpfull forummmmm

 

[K-A]

There we go. An SLS derivative would be stupid UNLESS it's a Mid-Engine car. At least this would be a whole different thing, like it or not. No point to make another SLS.